Bangladesh seeks India's stand on Sheikh Hasina's Delhi press conference

Dhaka,UPDATED: Aug 3, 2026 21:14 IST

Bangladesh has sought clarification from India over its position on deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's planned press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday, which coincides with the second anniversary of her government's ouster. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Monday that Dhaka did not want the issue to undermine bilateral relations.

She also said Hasina's public political activities from Indian territory could have a negative impact on ties between the two countries. According to media reports, Hasina, 78, is expected to join a private event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia virtually in New Delhi on August 5.

Addressing a media briefing, Shama said, "Bangladesh wants India to make its position clear on the matter," and added that Dhaka did not want the issue to harm bilateral ties. She said political activities by "fugitives from India who seek to create instability in Bangladesh" could affect relations, and said Dhaka had repeatedly conveyed its position that "fugitives or convicted individuals" should not use Indian soil for political activities aimed at destabilising Bangladesh.

"We want relations with India to improve. I believe India also wants that," she said. Some media reports said Hasina would join the August 5 event along with her US-based son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, former education minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel, and Bangladesh Human Rights Watch general secretary Mahammad Ali Siddique.

Separately, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's Foreign Affairs adviser Humayun Kabir said Hasina's planned public address from Indian soil could undermine "positive momentum in bilateral relations", according to the state-run BSS news agency. Kabir made the remarks when Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi paid a courtesy call on him on Monday. The report said they reviewed various aspects of Bangladesh-India relations and discussed issues of mutual interest.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka said in a post on X that the discussion focused on increasing people-centric cooperation between the two neighbouring countries, based on mutual interest and mutual benefit. It added that the High Commissioner "reiterated India's intent to work positively with the Government of Bangladesh to advance the developmental aspirations of the peoples of India and Bangladesh".

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday that the government had placed law enforcement and security agencies on high alert ahead of August 5 to ensure public safety and maintain law and order across the country. "All necessary measures have been taken to ensure a peaceful and secure environment across the country ahead of August 5," he told reporters.

Hasina's government was toppled on August 5, 2024, after violent student-led street protests in Bangladesh, following which she fled to India. An interim government that took charge after her ouster disbanded her political party, the Awami League, under an executive order issued under an anti-terror law.

In November 2025, Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia after being convicted of crimes against humanity by the Crimes Tribunal for her role in the violent crackdown on the 2024 student-led protests. Hasina has dismissed the charges against her as "politically motivated". Bangladesh has been seeking her extradition for some time, while New Delhi has acknowledged the request and said it is under legal consideration.

Dhaka's latest remarks have linked Hasina's reported participation in the New Delhi event to wider concerns over bilateral ties, even as both sides have said they want relations to move forward and have continued discussions on cooperation and matters of mutual interest.

With PTI Inputs

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